Opportunity Information: Apply for RFA DA 18 019
The NIDA Avant-Garde Award Program for HIV/AIDS and Drug Use Research (DP1, Clinical Trial Optional) is a National Institutes of Health (NIH) funding opportunity from the National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA) designed to back individual scientists who have an unusual level of creativity and are willing to pursue bold, high-impact ideas. The central goal is to spark transformative HIV/AIDS research that is directly relevant to drug use and drug abuse, either by opening up entirely new lines of investigation or by creating new pathways for preventing and treating HIV/AIDS among people who use drugs. The program is explicitly aimed at work that breaks from conventional approaches, meaning applicants are expected to propose concepts and methods that are substantially different from what they (or others in the field) are already doing.
The term "avant-garde" is used very deliberately here: NIDA is looking for research that is highly innovative and could shift the direction of the field rather than incrementally extend existing knowledge. Projects should align with the NIH HIV/AIDS Research Priorities (referenced in NOT-OD-15-137), which signals that proposals should fit within broader federal priorities for HIV/AIDS research while still pushing into new territory. While the award emphasizes innovative basic research, it is framed around real-world impact, encouraging work that could plausibly lead to better prevention tools, improved therapeutic strategies, and more effective interventions for people affected by both HIV and substance use.
In terms of scientific scope, NIDA highlights several example areas that fit the spirit of the program: developing improved preventive interventions or therapies, creating novel strategies to prevent HIV transmission, identifying new approaches to improve health outcomes for people living with HIV, and pursuing creative routes toward HIV eradication or otherwise improving quality of life for individuals living with the virus. The "Clinical Trial Optional" designation indicates that clinical trials are not required for a proposal to be responsive, but they may be included when appropriate for the scientific aims.
Administratively, this opportunity is listed as RFA-DA-18-019 and uses the DP1 mechanism, which typically supports high-risk, high-reward research programs centered on the vision of a single investigator. It is a discretionary grant within the education and health activity category and is associated with CFDA number 93.279. The award ceiling is listed as $500,000. The opportunity record shows an original closing date of 2020-06-01 and a creation date of 2017-12-06.
Eligibility is broad and includes many types of U.S. and non-U.S. institutions and organizations. Eligible applicants include state, county, and local governments; special district governments; independent school districts; public and state-controlled institutions of higher education; private institutions of higher education; federally recognized Native American tribal governments; tribal organizations that are not federally recognized; public housing authorities and Indian housing authorities; nonprofits with or without 501(c)(3) status (other than institutions of higher education); for-profit organizations (other than small businesses) as well as small businesses; and additional entities categorized as "others." The announcement also calls out additional eligible groups such as Alaska Native and Native Hawaiian Serving Institutions, Asian American Native American Pacific Islander Serving Institutions (AANAPISIs), Hispanic-serving Institutions, Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs), Tribally Controlled Colleges and Universities (TCCUs), faith-based and community-based organizations, eligible federal agencies, regional organizations, U.S. territories or possessions, and non-domestic (foreign) entities.
Overall, this program is best understood as a targeted, high-impact investment in unconventional HIV/AIDS research ideas that intersect meaningfully with drug use, with the expectation that successful projects could reshape prevention and treatment approaches and deliver breakthroughs that standard grant programs might be less likely to fund.Apply for RFA DA 18 019
- The National Institutes of Health in the education, health sector is offering a public funding opportunity titled "NIDA Avant-Garde Award Program for HIV/AIDS and Drug Use Research (DP1, Clinical Trial Optional)" and is now available to receive applicants.
- Interested and eligible applicants and submit their applications by referencing the CFDA number(s): 93.279.
- This funding opportunity was created on 2017-12-06.
- Applicants must submit their applications by 2020-06-01. (Agency may still review applications by suitable applicants for the remaining/unused allocated funding in 2026.)
- Each selected applicant is eligible to receive up to $500,000.00 in funding.
- Eligible applicants include: State governments, County governments, City or township governments, Special district governments, Independent school districts, Public and State controlled institutions of higher education, Native American tribal governments (Federally recognized), Public housing authorities/Indian housing authorities, Native American tribal organizations (other than Federally recognized tribal governments), Nonprofits having a 501 (c) (3) status with the IRS, other than institutions of higher education, Nonprofits that do not have a 501 (c) (3) status with the IRS, other than institutions of higher education, Private institutions of higher education, For-profit organizations other than small businesses, Small businesses, Others.
[Watch] Creating a grant proposal using the step-by-step wizard inside the applicant portal:
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
What is the NIDA Avant-Garde Award Program for HIV/AIDS and Drug Use Research?
It is an NIH funding opportunity from the National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA) that supports individual scientists who demonstrate an unusual level of creativity and who are willing to pursue bold, high-impact research ideas. The program is specifically focused on transformative HIV/AIDS research that is directly relevant to drug use and drug abuse.
What is the main goal of this award program?
The central goal is to spark transformative HIV/AIDS research tied to drug use by either opening entirely new lines of investigation or creating new pathways for preventing and treating HIV/AIDS among people who use drugs. The emphasis is on ideas that could meaningfully shift the direction of the field rather than incrementally extend existing work.
What does "avant-garde" mean in this funding opportunity?
"Avant-garde" is used deliberately to signal that NIDA is looking for research that breaks from conventional approaches. Applicants are expected to propose concepts and methods that are substantially different from what they (or others in the field) are already doing, with the potential to change how the field thinks or operates.
What kind of research is this program trying to fund?
The program targets highly innovative HIV/AIDS research that intersects directly with drug use and drug abuse. While the award emphasizes innovative basic research, it is also framed around practical, real-world impact, encouraging work that could plausibly lead to better prevention tools, improved therapeutic strategies, or more effective interventions for people affected by both HIV and substance use.
Does the proposed research need to be related to drug use?
Yes. The opportunity is explicitly designed for HIV/AIDS research that is directly relevant to drug use and drug abuse, including prevention and treatment approaches for people who use drugs.
What are examples of topic areas that fit the spirit of the program?
NIDA provides examples of areas that align with the program's intent, including:
- Developing improved preventive interventions or therapies
- Creating novel strategies to prevent HIV transmission
- Identifying new approaches to improve health outcomes for people living with HIV
- Pursuing creative routes toward HIV eradication or otherwise improving quality of life for individuals living with the virus
How does this award differ from more conventional research grants?
This program is explicitly aimed at work that departs from standard approaches. Rather than supporting incremental progress, it is intended to support unconventional, high-risk ideas with high potential impact, particularly ideas that typical grant programs might be less likely to fund.
What does "DP1" mean for this opportunity?
The opportunity uses the NIH DP1 mechanism, which typically supports high-risk, high-reward research programs centered on the vision of a single investigator. The focus is on backing an individual scientist's bold research direction.
Are clinical trials required?
No. The funding opportunity is labeled "Clinical Trial Optional," which means clinical trials are not required for a proposal to be considered responsive. However, clinical trials may be included when appropriate for the scientific aims.
Does this opportunity have an official NIH reference or identifier?
Yes. The opportunity is listed as RFA-DA-18-019 and is associated with the DP1 mechanism.
Is the project expected to align with broader NIH HIV/AIDS priorities?
Yes. Projects should align with the NIH HIV/AIDS Research Priorities referenced in NOT-OD-15-137. This signals that proposals should fit within broader federal priorities for HIV/AIDS research while still pushing into new territory.
What is the award ceiling for this grant opportunity?
The award ceiling is listed as $500,000.
What is the CFDA number associated with this opportunity?
The opportunity is associated with CFDA number 93.279.
Who is eligible to apply?
Eligibility is broad and includes many types of U.S. and non-U.S. institutions and organizations. Eligible applicants include government entities, academic institutions, nonprofits, for-profits (including small businesses), tribal governments and organizations, and other entity types listed in the announcement.
Are both U.S. and non-U.S. organizations eligible?
Yes. The eligibility list explicitly includes non-domestic (foreign) entities, in addition to U.S. organizations and U.S. territories or possessions.
Are state, county, and local governments eligible?
Yes. The eligible applicant types include state governments, county governments, local governments, and special district governments.
Are higher education institutions eligible?
Yes. Eligible applicants include public and state-controlled institutions of higher education, private institutions of higher education, and independent school districts.
Are nonprofit organizations eligible?
Yes. Nonprofits with or without 501(c)(3) status (other than institutions of higher education) are eligible according to the opportunity description.
Are for-profit organizations eligible?
Yes. For-profit organizations (other than small businesses) are eligible, and small businesses are also listed as eligible applicants.
Are tribal entities eligible?
Yes. Eligible applicants include federally recognized Native American tribal governments and tribal organizations that are not federally recognized, as well as Tribally Controlled Colleges and Universities (TCCUs).
Are faith-based and community-based organizations eligible?
Yes. The announcement specifically calls out faith-based and community-based organizations among eligible groups.
Are minority-serving institutions included in the eligible applicant list?
Yes. The opportunity calls out multiple categories of minority-serving institutions, including Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs), Hispanic-serving Institutions, Alaska Native and Native Hawaiian Serving Institutions, and Asian American Native American Pacific Islander Serving Institutions (AANAPISIs).
Are federal agencies eligible to apply?
Yes. The list of eligible groups includes eligible federal agencies.
Are housing authorities eligible to apply?
Yes. Public housing authorities and Indian housing authorities are included in the eligible applicant types.
What is the activity category for this award?
It is described as a discretionary grant within the education and health activity category.
What are the key dates listed for this opportunity?
The opportunity record shows a creation date of 2017-12-06 and an original closing date of 2020-06-01.
What is the overall purpose of NIDA making this type of award?
The program is positioned as a targeted, high-impact investment in unconventional HIV/AIDS research ideas that meaningfully intersect with drug use, with the expectation that successful projects could reshape prevention and treatment approaches and deliver breakthroughs that standard grant programs might be less likely to fund.
Browse more opportunities from the same category: Education, Health
Next opportunity: NINDS CREATE Bio Development Track: Preclinical Development for Biotechnology Products and Biologics (U01 - Clinical Trial Optional)
Previous opportunity: Centers of Biomedical Research Excellence (COBRE) (P20 Clinical Trial Optional)
Applicant Portal:
Are you interested in learning about about how to apply for this government funding opportunity? You can create a free applicant account and receive instant access to our applicant portal that many business owners like you have benefited from.
Apply for RFA DA 18 019
Applicants also applied for:
Applicants who have applied for this opportunity (RFA DA 18 019) also looked into and applied for these:
| Funding Opportunity |
|---|
| The NCI Transition Career Development Award (K22 - Independent Clinical Trial Not Allowed) Apply for PAR 18 467 Funding Number: PAR 18 467 Agency: National Institutes of Health Category: Education, Health Funding Amount: Case Dependent |
| The NCI Transition Career Development Award (K22 Independent Clinical Trial Required) Apply for PAR 18 466 Funding Number: PAR 18 466 Agency: National Institutes of Health Category: Education, Health Funding Amount: Case Dependent |
| Using Information Technology to Support Systematic Screening and Treatment of Depression in Cancer (R21 Clinical Trial Optional) Apply for PA 18 492 Funding Number: PA 18 492 Agency: National Institutes of Health Category: Education, Health Funding Amount: $200,000 |
| Using Information Technology to Support Systematic Screening and Treatment of Depression in Cancer (R01 Clinical Trial Optional) Apply for PA 18 493 Funding Number: PA 18 493 Agency: National Institutes of Health Category: Education, Health Funding Amount: Case Dependent |
| Development of Medications to Prevent and Treat Opioid Use Disorders and Overdose (UG3/UH3) (Clinical Trials Optional) Apply for RFA DA 19 002 Funding Number: RFA DA 19 002 Agency: National Institutes of Health Category: Education, Health Funding Amount: $3,000,000 |
| End-of-Life and Palliative Care Health Literacy: Improving Outcomes in Serious, Advanced Illness (R01 Clinical Trial Optional) Apply for PA 18 498 Funding Number: PA 18 498 Agency: National Institutes of Health Category: Education, Health Funding Amount: Case Dependent |
| Device-Based Treatments for Substance Use Disorders (UG3/UH3) (Clinical Trial Optional) Apply for PAR 18 494 Funding Number: PAR 18 494 Agency: National Institutes of Health Category: Education, Health Funding Amount: $500,000 |
| End-of-Life and Palliative Care Health Literacy: Improving Outcomes in Serious, Advanced Illness (R21 Clinical Trial Optional) Apply for PA 18 499 Funding Number: PA 18 499 Agency: National Institutes of Health Category: Education, Health Funding Amount: $200,000 |
| Advancing the Science of Geriatric Palliative Care (R21 - Clinical Trial Optional) Apply for PA 18 503 Funding Number: PA 18 503 Agency: National Institutes of Health Category: Education, Health Funding Amount: $200,000 |
| Advancing the Science of Geriatric Palliative Care (R01 - Clinical Trial Optional) Apply for PA 18 502 Funding Number: PA 18 502 Agency: National Institutes of Health Category: Education, Health Funding Amount: Case Dependent |
| Synthetic Biology for Engineering Applications (R01) (Clinical Trial Optional) Apply for PAR 18 434 Funding Number: PAR 18 434 Agency: National Institutes of Health Category: Education, Health Funding Amount: Case Dependent |
| Biobehavioral and Technological Interventions to Attenuate Cognitive Decline in Individuals with Cognitive Impairment or Dementia (R21 Clinical Trial Optional) Apply for PA 18 347 Funding Number: PA 18 347 Agency: National Institutes of Health Category: Education, Health Funding Amount: $200,000 |
| Biobehavioral and Technological Interventions to Attenuate Cognitive Decline in Individuals with Cognitive Impairment or Dementia (R15 Clinical Trial Not Allowed) Apply for PA 18 473 Funding Number: PA 18 473 Agency: National Institutes of Health Category: Education, Health Funding Amount: $300,000 |
| Advancing Basic Neurobiology Toward Translation Through Assay Development (R01 Clinical Trials Not Allowed) Apply for PAR 18 505 Funding Number: PAR 18 505 Agency: National Institutes of Health Category: Education, Health Funding Amount: Case Dependent |
| Self-Management for Health in Chronic Conditions (R21 Clinical Trial Optional) Apply for PA 18 384 Funding Number: PA 18 384 Agency: National Institutes of Health Category: Education, Health Funding Amount: $200,000 |
| Community Partnerships to Advance Research (CPAR) (R21 Clinical Trial Optional) Apply for PA 18 381 Funding Number: PA 18 381 Agency: National Institutes of Health Category: Education, Health Funding Amount: $200,000 |
| Synthetic Psychoactive Drugs and Strategic Approaches to Counteract Their Deleterious Effects (R03 Clinical Trial Optional) Apply for PAR 18 527 Funding Number: PAR 18 527 Agency: National Institutes of Health Category: Education, Health Funding Amount: $50,000 |
| Synthetic Psychoactive Drugs and Strategic Approaches to Counteract Their Deleterious Effects (R01 ) Apply for PAR 18 510 Funding Number: PAR 18 510 Agency: National Institutes of Health Category: Education, Health Funding Amount: Case Dependent |
| Innovative Questions in Symptom Science and Genomics (R15 Clinical Trial Not Allowed) Apply for PA 18 471 Funding Number: PA 18 471 Agency: National Institutes of Health Category: Education, Health Funding Amount: $300,000 |
| Personalized Strategies to Manage Symptoms of Chronic Illness (R15 Clinical Trial Not Allowed) Apply for PA 18 472 Funding Number: PA 18 472 Agency: National Institutes of Health Category: Education, Health Funding Amount: $300,000 |
Grant application guides and resources
It is always free to apply for government grants. However the process may be very complex depending on the funding opportunity you are applying for. Let us help you!
Apply for Grants
Inside Our Applicants Portal
Access Applicants Portal
- Grants Repository - Access current and historic funding opportunities with ease. Thousands of funding opportunities are published every week. We can help you sort through the database and find the eligible ones to apply for.
- Applicant Video Guides - The grant application process can be challenging to follow. We can help you with intuitive video guides to speed up the process and eliminate errors in submissions.
- Grant Proposal Wizard - We have developed a network of private funding organizations and investors across the United States. We can reach out and submit your proposal to these contacts to maximize your chances of getting the funding you need.
Premium leads for funding administrators, grant writers, and loan issuers
Thousands of people visit our website for their funding needs every day. When a user creates a grant proposal and files for submission, we pass the information on to funding administrators, grant writers, and government loan issuers.
If you manage government grant programs, provide grant writing services, or issue personal or government loans, we can help you reach your audience.
Learn More
Request more information:
Would you like to learn more about this funding opportunity, similar opportunities to "RFA DA 18 019", eligibility, application service, and/or application tips? Submit an inquiry below:
Don't forget to subscribe to our grant alerts mailing list to receive weekly alerts on new and updated grant funding opportunities like this one in your email.